What do you think?
Rate this book
Gunga Din
An illustrated edition of the classic poem, in which a British soldier recalls his experiences in the army in India and pays homage to the courage of the Indian water carrier Gunga Din
32 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1890
5 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
7,174 books3,675 followersJoseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 20, 2010
My grandpa use to tell me this story over and over again from the time I was a child until a couple of years before he passed away. It is such a beautiful story and the memory of my grandpa telling it to me makes it even more special. I am going to tell this story to my children.
June 17, 2022
I don't think I got it if I'm honest... so 2*. I also don't think this will ever be referred to in my life. I will edit if I'm wrong, but I just can't see it.
April 1, 2019
Some picture books just aren't written for children. Or at least not for a child to read alone without some sort of explanation or conversation about the material. Also, some picture books just won't appeal to children as much as they will adults.
I really think this is the case with this book. I saw that it was an illustrated edition of Rudyard Kipling's famous poem and was intrigued.
The pictues were created using watercolors with some gouache, and helped to create the dusty, hot, and miserable conditions of war. And the characters, while not entirely clear in detail, help to depict the actions described in the poem.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book, and I appreciated the additional background information provided about the inspiration for creating it, but I wondered who the book was written for.
It's not that it's too gory or inappropriate for children, but I just don't see them liking the words used or relating to the experiences of the people in the book.
I really think this is the case with this book. I saw that it was an illustrated edition of Rudyard Kipling's famous poem and was intrigued.
The pictues were created using watercolors with some gouache, and helped to create the dusty, hot, and miserable conditions of war. And the characters, while not entirely clear in detail, help to depict the actions described in the poem.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book, and I appreciated the additional background information provided about the inspiration for creating it, but I wondered who the book was written for.
It's not that it's too gory or inappropriate for children, but I just don't see them liking the words used or relating to the experiences of the people in the book.
October 26, 2021
Read it for my class about post colonial studies: Key texts and contexts.
Exercise was: Both poems represent nineteenth-century colonialist discourse, and seem to embrace the, at the time, well-established notions about the difference between colonisers and colonised. Choose one of the poems to analyse and please comment on whether and, if so, how it might nonetheless be read 'against the grain'
This poem is about two characters, the speaker who is a white Britisch soldier in India and Gunga Din, who is an indian water carrier.
He talks about serving 'Her majesty the Queen' and about Gunga Din as 'you do your work on water and you'll lick the bloomin boots of him that's got it'.
These soldiers were very cruel to the 'blackfaced crew' at the time, but when the British soldier was dying on the battlefield and Gunga Din gave him water, his perspecive changed.
He called Gunga Din 'the finest man I knew' even though Gunga Din was wearing piece o’ twisty rag” and “a goatskin water-bag”. Even during war Gunga Din faced the battlefield and do his job; "An’ ’e didn’t seem to know the use o’ fear."
In this stanza he tries to make a compliment about Gunga Din "An’ for all ’is dirty ’ide, 'E was white, clear white, inside". Of course this is a very racist remark to make about somebody, but this you can say is to be read 'against the grain'.
While the soldier was hit by a bullet, Gunga Din came to him to give him water and got shot as well. Gunga Din asked him if he liked his drink, before dying. This changed the soldiers view on the water carrier.
Exercise was: Both poems represent nineteenth-century colonialist discourse, and seem to embrace the, at the time, well-established notions about the difference between colonisers and colonised. Choose one of the poems to analyse and please comment on whether and, if so, how it might nonetheless be read 'against the grain'
This poem is about two characters, the speaker who is a white Britisch soldier in India and Gunga Din, who is an indian water carrier.
He talks about serving 'Her majesty the Queen' and about Gunga Din as 'you do your work on water and you'll lick the bloomin boots of him that's got it'.
These soldiers were very cruel to the 'blackfaced crew' at the time, but when the British soldier was dying on the battlefield and Gunga Din gave him water, his perspecive changed.
He called Gunga Din 'the finest man I knew' even though Gunga Din was wearing piece o’ twisty rag” and “a goatskin water-bag”. Even during war Gunga Din faced the battlefield and do his job; "An’ ’e didn’t seem to know the use o’ fear."
In this stanza he tries to make a compliment about Gunga Din "An’ for all ’is dirty ’ide, 'E was white, clear white, inside". Of course this is a very racist remark to make about somebody, but this you can say is to be read 'against the grain'.
While the soldier was hit by a bullet, Gunga Din came to him to give him water and got shot as well. Gunga Din asked him if he liked his drink, before dying. This changed the soldiers view on the water carrier.
November 2, 2018
An English soldier recalls his time in war with an Indian water-bearer name Gunga Din.
This poem is about a soldier recalling how Gunga Din saved his life, but then was killed. The soldiers all mistreated Gunga Din, but in the end, the soldier realizes "You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"
This poem is about a soldier recalling how Gunga Din saved his life, but then was killed. The soldiers all mistreated Gunga Din, but in the end, the soldier realizes "You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"
April 15, 2013
Library
October 20, 2013
Sweet narrative that, for me, shows us the wisdom we may experience on our deathbed.
February 29, 2024
Poema que nos demuestra uno de los tantos daños que ha ejercido el colonialismo alrededor del mundo... En este caso el inglés.
Si algo queda claro como ley universal es que las pretensiones de superioridad siempre carecen de humildad y aprecio hacia los semejantes de apariencia distinta. Y a este personaje este razonamiento le cayó en un mal momento... Una lástima.
Si algo queda claro como ley universal es que las pretensiones de superioridad siempre carecen de humildad y aprecio hacia los semejantes de apariencia distinta. Y a este personaje este razonamiento le cayó en un mal momento... Una lástima.
December 15, 2021
Set during a war, this poem is about the water carrier (bhisti) named Gunga Din. He is bossed around and mistreated, but becomes the most useful when men need water or are injured. "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"
January 30, 2023
I picked this book in a LittleFreeLibrary in my Hometown.
I have never read Rudyard Kipling's Poem. His poem is very expressive, and the edition of this book is awesome with the most magnificent illustrations by Robert Adrew Parker.
I have never read Rudyard Kipling's Poem. His poem is very expressive, and the edition of this book is awesome with the most magnificent illustrations by Robert Adrew Parker.
July 31, 2020
in Kipling's time, I'm guessing that to imagine an indigenous a better man that oneself was a heckuva conceit. now, not so much.
November 22, 2021
The abbreviations can be a little hard to read but the poem has a good flow to it. The latter half is far and away the best part and the ending is moving.
July 16, 2022
I liked this much better than the movie.
August 18, 2022
Gunga Din, R.Kipling
Intense brutality and futility of a war zone. **
Intense brutality and futility of a war zone. **
March 4, 2025
Though I’ve belted you and flayed you,
By the livin’ Gawd that made you,
You’re a better man than I am
By the livin’ Gawd that made you,
You’re a better man than I am
libs
December 12, 2025Title of the song Gunga Din is borrowed from the book.
September 4, 2024
“You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din”
A British regiment is fighting on the Indian subcontinent and have bhisti (water carriers) to help them with the struggle. The soldiers yell at the bhisti because they don’t get the water when they need/want it. The protagonist becomes injured during the battle and the bhisti Gunga Din saves him. He reflects on this and is more appreciative of the bhisti role and Gunga Din specifically.
A great poem!
A British regiment is fighting on the Indian subcontinent and have bhisti (water carriers) to help them with the struggle. The soldiers yell at the bhisti because they don’t get the water when they need/want it. The protagonist becomes injured during the battle and the bhisti Gunga Din saves him. He reflects on this and is more appreciative of the bhisti role and Gunga Din specifically.
A great poem!
December 18, 2010
You are a better man then Im Gunga Din! Short childrens poem about a water boy in India helping British soldiers.
June 6, 2011
A wonderful story...and also one of my all time favorite movies!:)
June 28, 2014
You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din!
Though I've belted you and flayed you,
By the livin' Gawd that made you,
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! ...
Though I've belted you and flayed you,
By the livin' Gawd that made you,
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! ...
January 4, 2016
Not my type of poetry or illustration, though I did appreciate the insights into what passages meant.
January 31, 2016
I read this classic poem for the first time when I was in high school.
Read
September 13, 2016Betrayal betrayal survivor, you should've had a solicitor. And yet, you're better man than i, Gunga Din!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2025
A classic and really great
poem, IMO.
poem, IMO.
March 5, 2025
He redeemed himself, but not by much.
September 3, 2018
Simply superb. This edition of Gunga Din is a Collectible edition.
One poem; detailed illustrations; hardbound piece of timeless loyalty, sacrifice and bravery.
It also reminds me of the yet darker element of subservience during British raj in india.
One poem; detailed illustrations; hardbound piece of timeless loyalty, sacrifice and bravery.
It also reminds me of the yet darker element of subservience during British raj in india.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews